Later that day
Bay E-24, Emergency Housing Area
Abby had been pacing around the entire docking bay for what felt like over an hour. She was hoping to run into Ashley or Shepard on the way there and use them as a springboard to reunite herself with her younger sister, but neither of them had shown up yet. Despite almost constantly being surrounded by death, Abby was never very good at dealing with it when it came to family or friends. Her usual coping mechanism would be hunting down whoever had committed the act, but in this case, that would require going all the way to Palaven and wiping out the Reaper forces there all by herself, which was something even the Turians were unable to do.
At the Memorial Wall just off the elevators, Sarah Williams stood silently, holding a picture of what was likely Thomas. Abby had yet to approach her, instead simply wandering around and listening to the conversations of the refugees. Most were talking about the same things. Where they were when the Reapers came, how they had barely escaped their home planet being burnt to cinders, how worried they were about their families, how they were waiting for their parents to arrive, as they promised they would.
When the Assassin was about to complete her umpteenth lap of the docking bay, she finally spotted Ashley and Shepard stepping out of the elevator. She quickly headed over to them before they went to the wall, but from this distance, it seemed that Ash was having similar feelings towards this affair.
"Hi, Abby." Ashley said. "How is she?"
"...good question." She responded hesitantly.
"You haven't gone over yet?" Shepard asked. "Not you too. I've been trying to talk some sense into this one the whole way here." The Commander thumped Ashley in the shoulder. "What's your issue?"
"Well, it's just...I haven't even seen Sarah in years. The last time we spoke in person, she was still in high school. Lynn had just graduated, and I...well…"
"You were about to drop out and off the face of the colony." Ashley finished the sentence with an annoyed tone. "Don't think I had forgotten your 'Grand Exodus' from your family's lives."
"I had found my calling, Ash." Abby said defensively.
"As far as I'm concerned, you're just a merc with fancy clothes and some kind of 'Creed'."
"I...you know what? I'm gonna pretend I didn't hear that." The Assassin growled.
"Whatever...merc."
"Career Gunnery Chief-OW!" Abby's bite back was cut off by a sharp back hand to the forehead.
"Knock it off!" Shepard almost shouted at the bickering sisters, making Ashley nearly snap to attention out of habit. "I might be your CO and your friend, but I'm not your mother. Now stow this 'sibling rivalry' crap." The Spectre seemed to direct her words at Ashley, but her eyes also drifted to Abby, making it clear that she was speaking to both of them. The Assassin averted her eyes, being reminded all too well of her own mother, despite Shepard's insistence to the contrary.
Shepard shook her head and looked towards the Memorial Wall, where she saw someone who matched Ashley's description of Sarah, at least from the back. "Is that her?"
"Yes." Abby answered. "I've been...trying to work up the balls to go over to her, but I have no idea what to say."
"You don't have to say anything." Shepard said, her tone of voice changing from stern to solemn and supportive at the drop of a dime. "Just be there for her. She'll talk if she wants to. Just listen...as her sisters. As her family."
"That sounds like experience talking." Abby remarked.
"You could say that." The Commander said, looking down at the floor and away from someone who looked an awful lot like a certain Kaidan Alenko, the very experience she was referring to.
The Williams sisters nodded to each other after a moment, absorbing Shepard's words, before Ashley took the lead towards Sarah. Abby followed a few steps behind. At the sound of approaching footsteps, the youngest Williams turned around, her face lighting up when she saw who was behind her. Ashley offered a hug, which Sarah eagerly accepted. After about a minute, she moved on to Abby, which made Shepard notice the Assassin's smaller stature a little more. She was shorter than Sarah, despite being the older sibling. The Commander watched the reunion from a distance, leaning against a railing with a smile on her face, before Ashley turned and beckoned her forward. Shepard hesitated, only to give in and be included. What would normally have been a solemn occasion was instead turned into a small meet-and-greet, with Sarah surprisingly eager to meet her sisters' commander. The four women talked for a long time about a wide range of topics, before Shepard politely excused herself. As she left, she looked over her shoulder one last time to see the three sisters all sharing a group hug, Sarah still holding Thomas' picture.
A/N
Good day, all. Wow, it's been a hectic year so far.
Today I randomly thought about a new chapter for this fic and was about to write it, but then I remembered where we left off.
Adult life sucks sometimes. I don't recommend it.
Anyway, it's been some time since I've updated anything, so...here you go. Sorry if it's short. I just wanted to post something.
Three of the four Williams Sisters unite, and shore leave continues. Hopefully next time, there may be some of the Normandy crew's escapades throughout the Citadel, including Abby meeting more of Shepard's old teammates.
I think she's going to like Kasumi.
Thank you all for reading, and for everyone being so patient in between updates. However, do feel free to message me and say something like "Hey! When's the next upload? The world is waiting!" It just might work. Who knows?
Questions? Comments? Leave them below. See you next time!